A hymn of Martin Luther’s

Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,

For our offenses given;

But now at God’s right hand He stands

And brings us life from heaven;

Therefore let us joyful be

And sing to God right thankfully

Loud songs of hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

No son of man could conquer Death,

Such mischief sin had wrought us,

For innocence dwelt not on earth,

And therefore Death had brought us

Into thraldom from of old

And ever grew more strong and bold

And kept us in his bondage. Hallelujah!

But Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,

To our low state descended,

The cause of Death He has undone,

His power forever ended,

Ruined all his right and claim

And left him nothing but the name,–

His sting is lost forever.

Hallelujah!

This is the first three verses of “Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands” Credits: Hymn #195 from The Handbook to TLH

Text: Acts 2:24

Author: Martin Luther, 1524, cento

Translated by: Richard Massic, 1854, alt.

Titled: Christ lag in Todesbanden

Tune: Latin melody, c. 1100